Print or mark an even sided 7" octagon on a piece of paper or poster board. Measure a 1/2" from the outside lines and draw a 6-1/2" shape inside the 7" shape. Cut around the outside and cut out the inside. This is your cutting template.
12x12" Galvanized Steel Flat Sheet $5.98 at Home Depot
8x10 Matboard for $2.26 at Blick Art
Dremel with metal cutoff wheel
(16) 1/4x1/32" Neodymium magnets $17.10/100 If you can find a smaller package of magnets this size, get it.
2 pkgs Magnet traction pads (silicone rubber tape)
Sharpie marker
Xacto knife
Gorilla glue
Drill
3/8" bit
Place the paper template on the steel sheet and mark the shape with a sharpie. Drill a hole through the inside shape close to the mark. Cut out shape with a dremel. Use the template to mark two matboards. Use an Xacto knife to cut one matboard inside and out to size and set aside. Cut the inside shape out of the other matboard. Glue the steel sheet to this board. Measure and cut 1/8" larger than the steel sheet. This is so you don't cut yourself with the steel.
Take the other matboard and flip it over. Trace around a magnet at every corner and halfway between them. Carefully cut around the mark with an Xacto knife and remove the top layer of paper. Place the magnet inside the hole and see if it's flush. If not, remove a little more paper with a nail file. When it's flush, glue into place. Wipe off excess glue. Stick a traction pad to each magnet. Do not trim; let the tape overlap onto the board. Let the glue cure 24 hours before use.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI am curious about your magnetic hoop. Do you think it can be used on a home embroidery machine? Can you include a picture? Thanks so much.
Susan
I can't post a photo because I haven't made it yet. Until then, it's an idea. Most modern home embroidery machines will accept a 5x7" fixed hoop. The Magna Hoop was an improvement on the fixed hoop, replacing the screw tension with magnets while remaining in a fixed position. The Octi Hoop was an adaptation on the Magna Hoop for free motion quilting on a sewing machine. If you want to make one for an embroidery machine, you would need to make a rectangular frame identical to an embroidery frame with a lip and remove the metal brace from the plastic hoop so you can screw it to the magnetic hoop. I don't know if those braces are sold individually.
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